The ability to transform familiar objects into catalysts for growth and empowerment is indeed a blessing. Beyond its value in enhancing the quality of life, owning the skill is also pivotal in inspiring communities to optimize their hidden potential.
Meet Agus Supriyadi, a remarkable individual who embodies this transformational ability. Serving as the Head of the Planning Section and an honorary teacher at an elementary school in Suak Village, South Lampung, Indonesia, Agus Supriyadi possesses an unwavering vision for his village. With his innovative mindset and keen foresight, he emerges as an agent of change, empowering his community and fostering their economic prosperity.
Unleashing Potential
Little did Agus realize that his appointment as Head of the Planning Section in 2019 would ignite his entrepreneurial journey. In this role, he actively engaged in the Preparedness and Resilient (Tangguh Siap) Program, a transformational initiative that integrates socio-economic risk mitigation measures into regional development programs in disaster-prone communities of South Lampung.
During the program’s socialization phase, Agus was captivated by the idea of locally processed food development. As the initial condition study (KKA) workshop participants unanimously agreed to provide souvenirs to survey respondents, Agus saw an opportunity. With an abundance of bananas and coconuts in the region, he believed that processing these commodities could unlock their untapped potential.
“I instantly thought of bananas and coconuts when the forum proposed locally made processed foods as souvenirs. These two crops, primarily sold as raw materials, could offer greater value through processing,” shared Agus, who took on the role of volunteer coordinator of the program.
Fuelled by determination, Agus ventured into coconut chip production. With an abundance of raw materials and a unique product concept, he realized there were no competitors in sight. Fortuitously, his idea garnered immense support from volunteers of the collaborating program among Paluma Nusantara and the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) in Indonesia and the Philippines.
“We embarked on numerous trials throughout the chip-making process, from experimenting with slice thickness to perfecting frying techniques. We tirelessly sampled the results to achieve the perfect composition,” he reminisced passionately.
From Souvenirs to Culinary Delights
Surprisingly, Agus’s chips found their way into the hands of participants as souvenirs for the KKA workshop and received positive feedback. However, despite their deliciousness, some constructive criticism arose, primarily concerning the relatively high oil content and lack of crunchiness.
Rather than being disheartened, Agus embraced the feedback with thoughtfulness, recognizing its importance in fuelling his innovation. He understood that amidst the critiques, there were also expressions of concern and support for his product. In response, he turned to a spinner—a tool commonly used to drain frying oil by rotating it—aiming to address the raised issues and appeal to a broader customer base.
Driven to expand his culinary horizons, Agus made a pivotal decision to participate in a training program on banana flour production organized by the Lampung State Polytechnic through a community service initiative. Empowered by the newfound knowledge, he was inspired to blend his coconut chips with banana flour. While the new composition offered a delightful taste, Agus admits the quest for a solid recipe continues, striving to perfect the texture to satisfy consumers.
“Alhamdulillah, the number of customers has been steadily increasing. Beyond South Lampung residents, buyers now flock from South Sumatra, West Java, and Central Java. This surge in popularity could be attributed to the availability of our chips both offline and online. Furthermore, we offer a range of flavours, from original to roasted corn, sweet corn, chocolate, sweet and spicy, balado (hot and spicy mixture), and roast beef,” he explained with a glimmer of pride in his eyes.
